Statement of Issue
Being hacked and getting personal data accessed is one of the
worst things that can happen, especially while traveling. What
happens when all your phone's mobile data is used up and you
can't access emails, send or receive iMessages, or even google
something? In order to protect yourself while traveling, getting
educated on different attacks and ways to prevent them is
important. Wifi safety is vital because "If you connect, you must
protect" (CISA, 2019). When there is no access to a private
network, avoid activities that can potentially expose your private
information.
Position/Recommendation:
Avoiding the need to use an open public network is the easiest
way to keep your network connection safe while traveling.
Sometimes a network connection can look familiar and seem
trustworthy, but most times it can be a disguised wi-fi access
point operated by a hacker called an 'Evil-Twin". An Evil twin
attack can occur "when users connect to the [fake wifi] access
point, and all the data they share with the network passes
through a server controlled by the attacker. Evil twin attacks are
more common on public Wi-Fi networks which are unsecured and
leave your personal data vulnerable" (Kapersky, n.d.). Prevent your
device from auto-connecting! Some devices will automatically
find and connect to wireless networks that are available. This
instant connection "opens the door for cybercriminals to remotely
access your devices" (CISA, 2019). Confirming the network name
/log-in credentials with appropriate staff to ensure legitimacy is
most appropriate.
Since public networks are always at risk, using your own mobile
data, hotspot, or VPN would be a safer alternative. If you have
the means to do so, bring your own secure hotspot. When
shopping online or checking personal statements such as bank
accounts, only use sites that begin with "https://". The "s" stands
for secure. A VPN "extends a private network over a public one,
so you can access company information through a public network
like an airport without giving up data security" (CIO Tech, 2021).
Some companies also utilize corporate VPN's!
Summary
The best bet when traveling or out in public with an absolute
need to use the public connection would be to invest in a VPN
(or even a free one), add-on hotspot through your mobile
provider, or wait until back home or on a private network to
mitigate against different types of network access attacks. Not
connecting to any public SSID (host network), can help you from
being a victim of someone's evil-twin attack and gaining access to
private files and data as well.
References:
8 ways to avoid being hacked when traveling
. CIO Tech. (2021,
December 10). Retrieved March 30, 2022, from
https://www.ciotech.us/tech-news/8-ways-avoid-being-hacked-
when-traveling/
Cybersecurity while traveling tip sheet - CISA
. (n.d.). Retrieved
March 30, 2022, from
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Cybersecurity-
While-Traveling-Tip-Sheet-122019-508.pdf
Kaspersky. (2022, February 1).
Evil twin attacks and how to
prevent them
. www.kaspersky.com. Retrieved March 30, 2022,
from https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-
safety/evil-twin-attacks
Penny Hoelscher. (2021, November 28).
30+ cybersecurity tips for
travelers
. Infosec Resources. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from
https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/topic/30-cybersecurity-tips-
for-travelers/#gref
